Intelligence

Dr. N. T. Alee
Assistant Professor
Gitam, vizag
Definitions

 Individuals’ abilities to understand complex ideas, to adapt effectively to the environment, to learn
from experience, to engage in various forms of reasoning, to overcome obstacles by careful thought
(Robert A. Baron)
 The capacity to understand the world, think rationally, and use resources effectively. (Robert Feldman)
 Intelligence is the global capacity of an individual to act purposefully, to think rationally and to deal
effectively with his environment. It includes the power of adaptation of an individual to his milieu and
his ability to learn and abstract thinking.
Determinants of Intelligence
 The question of relative importance of ‘nature’ and ‘nurture’ as a determinant of intelligence has been
controversial. The role of genetics of heritability and environment has been extensively studied.
 Human intelligence is clearly the result of the complex interplay between genetic factors and a wide
range of environmental conditions (e.g., Plomin & Bergeman, 1991).

Evidence for the Role of Heredity

 Evidence pointing to the influence of heredity on intelligence comes mainly from family and the twin
studies. A heritability index shows the proportional contribution of genetic or heredity factors of a
particular trait in a given population under existing conditions. A frequent procedure to compute
heritability index is to utilize intelligence test correlations of monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic
(fraternal) twins. Correlations between monozygotic twins reared together and between
monozygotic;” twins reared apart in the foster homes have also been used.
 If intelligence is indeed determined in part by heredity, we would expect that the more closely two persons
are related, the more similar their IQs will be. This prediction has generally been confirmed.
 The IQ scores of identical twins separated at birth and raised in different homes are highly correlated. This
finding provides evidence for the impact of genetic factors on intelligence.
 Additional support for the impact of heredity on intelligence is provided by studies involving
adopted children. If intelligence is strongly affected by genetic factors, the IQs of adopted children
should resemble those of their biological parents more closely than those of their adoptive parents.
In short, the children should be more similar in IQ to the persons from whom they received their
genes than to the persons who raised them. This prediction, too, has been confirmed.
 Further, in some investigations, the IQs of adopted children have been observed to become
increasingly similar to those of their adoptive parents over time (Scarr & Weinberg, 1976). These
latter findings indicate that environmental factors, too, play an important role.

Evidence for the Role of Environmental Factors

 IQ scores have risen substantially around the world at all age levels in recent decades. This is
sometimes known as the Flynn effect, after the psychologist who first reported it (Flynn,
1987).
 In the Netherlands, for instance, the average IQ of nineteen-year-olds increased more than
eight points between 1972 and 1982. What accounts for this increase? Since it seems unlikely
that massive shifts in human heredity have occurred during this time period, a more
reasonable explanation seems to lie in changing environmental conditions.
 Urbanization has increased all over the world, with the result that growing numbers of people
are being exposed, through television and other media, to an increasing amount of
information. Similarly, there have been improvements both in nutrition and in educational
opportunities in many countries (e.g., Lynn, 1990). To the extent that these variables are
responsible for the increase in IQ, of course, this provides strong support for the role of
environmental factors in human intelligence.
 Additional evidence for the role of environmental factors in intelligence is provided by the
findings of studies of environmental deprivation and environmental enrichment. With respect
to deprivation, it has been found that intelligence can be reduced by the absence of certain
forms of environmental stimulation early in life (Gottfried, 1984).
 In terms of enrichment, removing children from sterile, restricted environments and placing
them in more favorable settings seems to enhance their intellectual growth (e.g., Skeels, 1938,
1966).
 Additional support for the role of environmental factors in intelligence comes from research
showing that many biological factors that children encounter while growing up can affect their
intelligence. Prolonged malnutrition can adversely affect IQ (e.g., Sigman, 1995), as can
exposure to lead either in the air or in lead-based paint—which young children often eat
because it tastes sweet (e.g., Baghurst et al., 1992).
 The adverse effects of factors such as alcohol and drugs on the physical health of developing
fetuses. The development of the foetus, especially at critical times, may be affected by various
physical factors including mother’s diet, smoking, disease such as rubella and certain drugs.
Subsequent environment. especially during childhood, socio-economic status, nutrition,
health, and educational influences of the family are very important determinants of IQ.
 In sum, there is considerable evidence that both environmental and genetic factors play a role
in intelligence. This is the view accepted by almost all psychologists, and there is little
controversy about it. Greater controversy continues to exist, however, concerning the relative
contribution of each of these factors. Do environmental or genetic factors play a stronger role
in shaping intelligence?
Thank You